Proverbs 24:23 …It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.
Eight reasons partiality is wrong (continues):
[6] Partiality reveals unfitness to judge. A person who cannot separate personal feelings from truth cannot be trusted with judgment. A judge who favours his friends or fears powerful people is not exercising wisdom. Likewise, a person who cannot hear criticism from someone he likes, or who automatically condemns someone he dislikes, is allowing emotion to replace discernment. Wisdom requires the ability to say: “I may like this person, but that does not make him right.” And: “I may dislike this person, but that does not make him wrong.”
[7] Partiality can encourage sin. One of the most dangerous forms of favouritism occurs when people excuse wrongdoing because they like, admire, fear, or benefit from the person committing it. A powerful person may be allowed to escape consequences that would have fallen upon someone else. Scripture gives a serious example in the account of Ahab and Jezebel’s treatment of Naboth in 1Kings 21. The powerful desired Naboth’s vineyard, and false accusations were used to take it from him. God did not overlook this injustice. Similarly, Micah condemned leaders who were willing to corrupt judgment for personal gain (Micah 3:1-11). Wisdom never calls evil good simply because the person doing it is powerful, wealthy, popular, or personally favoured.
[8] Partiality is contrary to the Gospel. Scripture [James] connects impartiality directly with Christian faith. The Gospel teaches that salvation is not based upon social status, wealth, nationality, influence, or outward appearance. Everyone comes before God as a sinner in need of grace. Therefore, Christians must not create a hierarchy of human worth based upon worldly distinctions. Christians must reflect God’s impartiality rather than the world’s favouritism.
